Page 225 of The Fallen Fae King

I have missed fighting with the ferocious constable in my army. We have battled for years by each other’s sides, and Elatha has been forged from desperation into a dirty fighter.

Like me. And Lanlin.

I unsheathe my bronze daggers.

Lanlin leaps elegantly to stand next to me, balancing on the surface of the desk.

We share a fierce grin.

I have always wanted one of my mates to fight with me like this, on the same side, rather than as enemies.

I wished that they would respect my skills.

I was tricked once that Lanlin respected mine, but he had only been testing me.

It feels different this time.

Is it too dangerous to hope?

Moths circle Lanlin like pale fog. He is using it as a battle tactic to hide in, until he attacks.

He’d be impressive at guerrilla warfare. He’ll fit in well with my army.

Lanlin bursts out of his moth fog to wrap his shackles around the throat of a passing guard. He drags the dragon backwards.

The guard chokes, terrified. He scrambles at the chain.

Courteously, as if we’re at a ball, Lanlin inclines his head at me. “My dear, would you like to do the honors?”

“Careful, Sin. You’ll have me confusing murder with foreplay.” I grin as I stab my daggers into both sides of the guard’s throat.

The dragon howls, when I wrench my daggers out again.

He flails, as blood spurts in a scarlet fountain.

I straighten. “Pretty.”

Lanlin’s eyes are glowing and wild. He licks a droplet of blood off his lips.

I am surprised by the jealousy that stabs through me.

He should only enjoy my blood.

I feed him.

Lanlin drops the guard and pounces on another one, ripping out his throat.

It is frightening to fight without all my senses, but Lanlin has kept me close to him, guiding me.

I didn’t realize in Sheut just how much Lanlin’s support meant to me, when I had been totally blind.

He gives me what I need without me having to say a word.

“Little Bug,” I call. “Stay by Ela.”

My stomach swirls with anxiety that I can’t tell what is happening to Bai.

During battles in the Unseelie Kingdom, I trained Bai to serve as my personal attendant. I kept him at my side and as safe as I could.